Female vs. Male Fans – Are we really that different?

Editor’s Audible
by Cindi Dammann

Are female football fans really any different than male fans? Do we watch the game differently? Are our expectations anything other than we want our team to win? Do we handle losing different than our male counterparts? Do we dress different? Do we look at the game differently?

Who decided anything ending in “ball” is considered a “male” term and anything ending in “ing” (cooking, cleaning, sewing) is considered a “female’ term?

Why do we even have to discuss if we’re different? Can’t we all just be football fans?

Unfortunately most of the time we can’t just all be fans. Even in the new millennium, there are many guys who still marvel at the thought of a true female football fan, one who watches the game for the game, who understands what is happening on the field, one who doesn’t want to date the players but wants to talk about what it’s like playing the game.

Yes there are female fans that aren’t really fans, they watch because the guys wear tight uniforms and are “hot”. This isn’t about those “fans”. This Audible is about getting respect as a female who is a true football fan.

There are many of us out there, females who love the game of football. We have different stories on how we started watching the game and how we fell in love with it. Some of us started watching with our dads, we didn’t have brothers so you were the closest thing he got to a son. Some of us started watching because we did have brothers playing the game. Some because they dated a football player and even though that love is long gone, the love of the game is still there.

What is it then that causes us to love the game when probably 99% of us never put on pads and played the game (the 1% is because there are some female semi-pro football teams)? Is it because it’s fast moving, maybe a little cathartic for us? Who doesn’t like a good solid hit that causes the opposing team player to bounce off of your team’s player and hit the ground?

Most of us, just like the guys, fall in love with our team, not a player. Our sole purpose in watching the game is for our team to win. When they lose it’s devastating for us. Do we react differently than guys? We get angry. We yell especially if the thrill of victory was right in our grasp.  We feel the agony of defeat in our bones and in our hearts. We sometimes cry which if some guys would admit it; they really want to do at times, especially after a Super Bowl loss, one of the worst feelings ever.

We wear team colors and logo just as proudly. Guys wear jerseys and hats, and while some women do also, we can show our team spirit more strongly because we get to accessorize. Yes we women can wear earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair ribbons, carry team purses, paint our nails, and wear team underwear. Guys we can paint our faces, decorate our cars, our homes, and our work stations just like you.  Ok so we don’t wear the football pants like some of the guys do, but then again, they probably shouldn’t wear them either.

We can also participate in football pools and fantasy football and usually hold our own.

We listen to sports radio and can be seen at games with the headphones on listening to the radio broadcast of the game. And as much fun that the guy next to you wants to make of you for listening, he can’t resist asking what the broadcasters are saying when a player is hurt or a play is being reviewed.

We understand what first and ten means, what an audible is, a blitz, a punt, and cover two. We know when draft day is, when the schedule comes out, when training camp starts, and opening day.

We are truly and simply, football fans.

What do you think? Are there major differences between men and women when it comes to being a football fan?